Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth week in Ordinary Time

Saint Luke 9:51-56

by Daily Gospel | Source: Daily Gospel

Book of Zechariah 8:20-23.

Thus says the LORD of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities;

and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, "Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD"; and, "I too will go to seek the LORD."

Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD.

Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

Psalms 87(86):1-3.4-5.6-7.

A psalm of the Korahites. A song. The LORD loves the city founded on holy mountains,

Loves the gates of Zion more than any dwelling in Jacob.

Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! Selah

From Babylon and Egypt I count those who acknowledge the LORD. Philistia, Ethiopia, Tyre, of them it can be said: "This one was born there."

But of Zion it must be said: "They all were born here." The Most High confirms this;

the Lord notes in the register of the peoples: "This one was born here." Selah

So all sing in their festive dance: "Within you is my true home."

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 9:51-56.

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,

and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there,

but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.

When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?"

Jesus turned and rebuked them,

and they journeyed to another village.

Commentary of the day

Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274), Franciscan, Doctor of the Church

The Soul's journey into God, 7 (trans. ©Classics of Western spirituality)

"He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem"

Christ is «the way and the door» (Jn 14,6; 10,7); Christ is the ladder and the vehicle..., «the mystery hidden from eternity» (Mt 13,35). Whoever turns his face fully to the Mercy Seat and with faith, hope and love, devotion, admiration, exultation, appreciation, praise and joy beholds him hanging on the cross: such a one makes the Pasch, that is, the Passover, with Christ (cf. Mk 14,14). By the staff of the cross he passes over the Red Sea (cf. Ex 14,16)... In this passing over, if it is to be perfect, all intellectual activities must be left behind and the height of our affection must be totally transferred and transformed into God. This, however, is mystical and most secret, which «no one knows except him who receives it» (Rv 2,17), no one receives except him who desires it, and no one desires except him who is inflamed in his very marrow by the fire of the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent into the world. And therefore the Apostle Paul says that this mystical wisdom is revealed by the Holy Spirit (1Cor 2,10).

But if you wish to know how these things come about, ask grace not instruction... darkness not clarity, not light but the fire that totally inflames and carries us into God by ecstatic unctions and burning affections. This fire is God, and «his furnace is in Jerusalem» (Is 31,9); and Christ enkindles it

in the heat of his burning passion.... Whoever loves this death on the cross can see God because it is true beyond doubt that «Man will not see me and live» (Ex 33,20).

Let us, then, die and enter into the darkness; let us impose silence upon our cares, our desires and our imaginings. With Christ crucified let us pass «out of this world to the Father» (Jn 13,1) so that when the Father is shown to us, we may say with Philip: «It is enough for us» (Jn 14,8). Let us hear with Paul: «My grace is sufficient for you» (2Cor 12,9). Let us rejoice with David saying: «My flesh and my heart have grown faint; You are the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever» (Ps 73[72],26).

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